Františkovy Lázně

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Coordinates: 50°7′13.19″N 12°21′6.26″E / 50.1203306, 12.3517389
Františkovy Lázně
Town
none
Flag
Coat of arms
Country Flag of the Czech Republic Czech Republic
Region Karlovy Vary
District Cheb
Commune Cheb
Elevation 442 m (1,450 ft)
Coordinates 50°7′13.19″N 12°21′6.26″E / 50.1203306, 12.3517389
Area 25.74 km² (9.94 sq mi)
Population 5,428 (2005)
Density 211 /km² (546 /sq mi)
First mentioned 15th century
Mayor Ivo Mlátilík
Timezone CET (UTC+1)
 - summer (DST) CEST (UTC+2)
Postal code 351 01
Location in the Czech Republic
Location in the Czech Republic
Location in the Czech Republic
Wikimedia Commons: Františkovy Lázně
Statistics: statnisprava.cz
Website: www.mufrlazne.cz
The spa in Františkovy Lázně
The spa in Františkovy Lázně

Františkovy Lázně (IPA[ˈfrancɪʃkovɪ ˈla:zɲɛ]; German Franzensbad) is a town in Cheb District of Karlovy Vary Region in the western Bohemia (Czech Republic), near the town of Cheb with about 5,200 inhabitants.

Františkovy Lázně is world renowned as a spa. The salutary effects of the springs were known from the 15th century on. First, the water was used locally for salutary purposes, later sold all over Germany. In 1700, it reportedly sold more water than all other German spas combined. In the year 1793, the town was officially founded under the name Kaiser Franzensdorf (Emperor Francis II's village) and later renamed to Franzensbad, under which name it became a famous spa.

Until their expulsion in 1945 the majority of the population of the city was German (see Sudetenland).

It was the first mud bath in the world and operated 24 mineral springs, 12 of which are still in operation.

The local natural mineral water has a relatively high content of dissolved carbon dioxide. The effects of the carbonic baths are shown in the better performance of the cardiovascular system, in the mild decrease of blood pressure in the pulse, in the lower occurrence of chronic inflammatory processes in the body, and also in terms of rheumatics, and in the improved blood circulation in tissues and the vegetative stabilisation.

The local mud treatments represent a traditional curative method which has thermal, chemical and mechanical effects. The mud treatment consists of a thick mushy combination of mud and mineral water which is heated up to a temperature which is significantly higher than body temperature. The treatment has a positive effect on mobility of muscles and the pain in treated tissues.

Thanks to its wide range of services and large accommodation capacities, the local Spa corporation is the biggest spa corporation in the Czech Republic.


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